FOOD REVIEW: SAKÉ JR

Saké Jr proves that eating healthy does not need to leave you feeling hungry or unhappy. This fast and casual Japanese eatery located in the recently revamped Grosvenor Place complex in Sydney is the sister store to the fine-dining favourite, Saké Restaurant & Bar. It has a variety of fresh foods and drinks for sale but their biggest drawcard is that you can build your own Korean-inspired bowl ($15) or enjoy your own bowl and beer combination ($10) during their daily happy hour from 4pm until 7pm.

The menu at Saké Jr boasts ingredients that are gluten, preservative and GMO-free while also drawing on the flavours and techniques that people love from the Saké brand. The bowls are put together by navigating six separate steps with the first one (the base) featuring options like: bao buns, udon rice noodle sticks, mixed greens or one of two kinds of rice (brown or seasoned sushi.) The second process is to pick your protein from meats like grilled chicken or sesame soy pork (which has a tasty, crispy crackling), a vegetarian alternative (crispy tofu and shitake mushroom) or one of the many fish varieties (miso glazed cod, spicy salmon, pop-corn shrimp and classic tuna and avocado).

Patrons can choose from an unlimited supply of vegetables including: Brussel sprouts, charred corn, ginger-glazed bok choy, steamed edamame, beans in black garlic sauce and seaweed. Avocado is also available for a little extra ($2.) The bowls can be topped with a sweet, apple soy ginger sauce or hotter dressings like Japanese salad dressing or wasabi ginger salsa (because as Seinfeld one said, “People like saying, “Salsa!””)

The bowls are finished with unlimited garnishes like: chilli threads, wasabi peas, toasted sesame seeds, fried garlic, wasabi furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning), togarashi (a blend of seven Japanese spices that would make Colonel Sanders blush), tempura crunch (the light batter used to garnish sushi or crunchy rolls) and toasted nori strips. The bowl can also have unlimited amounts of chilli oil, Japanese pickled cucumber, pickled ginger, scallions and daikon and carrot slaw.

They are open from 7:30AM and have brekkie bowls ($9) available with proteins that match the early morning start. They include: scrambled eggs, bacon, Japanese hash browns and crispy pork belly. There is also muesli ($5), fruit salad ($6), banana bread ($5) and a hot soy milk porridge ($8) available. Another great alternative to a bacon and egg muffin is the bacon and egg roll bao buns available at $5 for two pieces or $7.50 with a regular coffee.

Saké Jr also have a great variety of grab-and-go options including various soups ($4-8), sushi rolls ($10-16) and dumplings ($16.) The desserts feature a number of refreshing and fruity sorbets and ice-creams ($5-6) and there are hot and cold beverages for sale. The cold drinks include two of the restaurant’s namesake, sake, as well as two craft beers brewed by the group’s very own, Urban Brew Co. There is the light hattori hit girl ($8.50), which is made with Australian hops and the mildly bitter, blushing geisha ($8.50).

As the dining scenes across the world continue to move towards a more health and fitness conscious life, it’s becoming increasingly important for us to think a bit healthier when it comes to quick and casual, even if it’s not always easy to do so. There can be no excuses when you consider that a place like Saké Jr exists, it’s the ideal spot for those who want to eat, feel and look good while enjoying food that is healthy, tasty and full of flavour.